Chapter 167

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian Blackwood’s penthouse, painting the marble floors in warm hues. Lillian stretched lazily in the king-sized bed, her fingers brushing against the cool silk sheets. The scent of sandalwood and bergamot—unmistakably Sebastian’s—lingered in the air, wrapping around her like an invisible embrace.

She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, when the bedroom door creaked open. Oliver, Sebastian’s seven-year-old son, peeked in with a mischievous grin. "Morning, Lillian! Dad said you’d sleep forever if I didn’t wake you."

Lillian chuckled, ruffling his messy curls. "Did he now? Well, I guess I should thank you for the rescue."

Oliver bounced onto the bed, his tiny frame barely making a dent in the plush mattress. "Are we still going to the amusement park today? You promised!"

Before she could answer, Sebastian appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with that infuriatingly perfect smirk of his. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d just run his fingers through it, and his tailored shirt clung to his broad shoulders. "Only if you eat breakfast first," he said, his deep voice laced with amusement.

Oliver groaned dramatically but scrambled off the bed, darting toward the kitchen.

Sebastian’s gaze lingered on Lillian, the intensity in his golden eyes making her pulse quicken. "Sleep well?"

She arched a brow. "Like a log. Your bed is ridiculously comfortable."

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. "Good. Because you’ll be spending a lot more time in it."

Heat rushed to her cheeks, but before she could retort, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Beatrice lit up the screen:

"Emergency brunch. Now. I have gossip you won’t believe."

Lillian sighed. Beatrice’s "emergencies" usually involved scandalous rumors or questionable fashion choices. Still, she couldn’t ignore her best friend.

Sebastian, ever perceptive, tilted his head. "Trouble?"

"Just Beatrice being Beatrice." She swung her legs off the bed, reaching for her robe. "I’ll meet you and Oliver at the amusement park later."

He stepped closer, his fingers brushing her wrist. "Don’t keep us waiting too long."

The contact sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she had to remind herself to breathe. "Wouldn’t dream of it."

As she hurried to get ready, Lillian couldn’t shake the feeling that today was going to be anything but ordinary.

Little did she know, Beatrice’s "gossip" would unravel a secret that threatened to tear her and Sebastian apart.

The crisp morning air carried the scent of pine as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood's mountain retreat. Below her, the resort bustled with activity as competitors from various packs prepared for today's challenges. She tightened the belt of her silk robe, watching her breath form little clouds in the cold air.

"Still brooding over yesterday's results?" Beatrice's voice came from behind her, accompanied by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

Lillian accepted the steaming mug with a grateful smile. "Not brooding. Just... reassessing."

Beatrice leaned against the railing, her dark curls bouncing. "You placed third in the obstacle course. That's nothing to scoff at, especially against trained warriors."

Lillian's fingers tightened around the warm ceramic. "I should have done better. Sebastian expects—"

"Sebastian expects you to be human," Beatrice interrupted. "Literally. You're the only non-Lycan competitor here, Lil. Cut yourself some slack."

The sound of approaching footsteps made them both turn. Oliver bounded onto the balcony, his cheeks flushed with excitement. "Lillian! Dad says we're doing the archery competition today! You're gonna shoot arrows!"

Lillian set down her coffee to ruffle the boy's hair. "Am I now? And what makes you so sure?"

"Because I told Dad you're the best!" Oliver declared with childish certainty. "Even better than Uncle Marcus!"

Beatrice snorted. "High praise indeed."

Before Lillian could respond, the balcony doors slid open again, revealing Sebastian in his customary impeccable suit. The morning sunlight caught the silver streaks in his dark hair as he surveyed their little gathering.

"Oliver, stop bothering Lillian. She needs to prepare." His deep voice carried its usual authority, but Lillian had learned to hear the warmth beneath.

Oliver pouted but obeyed, scampering back inside. Beatrice took the hint, winking at Lillian before following the boy.

Sebastian stepped closer, his cologne mingling with the mountain air. "You're nervous."

It wasn't a question. Lillian sighed. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to me." He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to compete today if you don't want to."

Lillian shook her head. "I do. I just..." She hesitated, then met his gaze. "What if I embarrass you?"

Sebastian's expression softened in a way few ever witnessed. "Impossible. Your presence here alone has already silenced half the council members who claimed humans couldn't handle our world."

The distant sound of a horn signaled the start of morning preparations. Sebastian checked his watch. "I have to meet with Alpha Voss. But remember—" He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Win or lose, you've already proven everything that matters."

As he walked away, Lillian felt the weight on her shoulders lighten. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and headed inside to change. Today wasn't about proving herself to the Lycan world—it was about proving to herself just how far she'd come.

The real competition, she realized as she braided her hair, wasn't against the other warriors. It was against the doubts that still whispered in the back of her mind. And that was one battle she intended to win.

After Lillian retreated to her room, I returned to the parlor where Reginald was deep in conversation with his wife. Their hushed tones and furtive glances betrayed their anxiety—without my financial backing, they would face ruin. The empire they'd built would crumble, forcing them to drain their business profits just to repay my investments.

My gaze flickered to Vivienne, who stood stiffly by the fireplace. The worry in her eyes was unmistakable—she feared for her daughter.

"You should rest," I murmured, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "I need to speak with the Winslows alone."

She hesitated but finally nodded, slipping out of the room with one last uneasy glance at the couple.

The moment the door clicked shut, I turned my full attention to Reginald and Eleanor. My expression darkened.

"Leave us," Reginald ordered his daughter sharply.

Arabella's lips thinned in displeasure. "Can't I stay?" she whined, batting her lashes at me.

"No," he snapped. "This is between us and Alpha Blackwood."

With an exaggerated sigh, she flounced out—but not before throwing me a suggestive wink. I suppressed a shudder, waiting until her footsteps faded before addressing the trembling pair before me.

"What I witnessed tonight was unacceptable," I said coldly, my voice laced with quiet fury. "How can I trust my daughter to marry into a family that treats guests with such disrespect?"

Reginald swallowed hard. "Alpha, I assure you, this was merely a misunderstanding. It won't happen again."

"Are you forgetting," I mused, stepping closer, "that I own the majority stake in your enterprises? One word from me, and you'll be drowning in debt."

I had invested heavily across the Werewolf Kingdom, but only in ventures with promise. The Winslows had been one such investment—until tonight.

Eleanor's hands trembled as she clutched her husband's arm. "We understand, Alpha."

"Good." My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "If Lillian or Vivienne suffer so much as a scratch under your roof, the consequences will be severe. Am I clear?"

They both bowed their heads, their voices trembling in unison.

"Yes, Alpha Blackwood."

Reginald nudged Eleanor, and she hastily echoed, "Of course, Alpha."

I held their gaze a moment longer, ensuring the warning sank in, before turning on my heel and striding out. The game had changed—and they would learn just how ruthless a Lycan chairman could be.

No harm will come to either of them. You have our word.

Lillian's POV

I spent an hour packing my clothes and personal belongings. Most of my things were still in storage, so I didn’t have much here. But every few minutes, I had to pause, my hands trembling as reality crashed over me.

I couldn’t believe I was about to move into Sebastian Blackwood’s mansion—without my mother.

Leaving her behind felt like tearing my heart in two. The mere thought twisted my stomach into knots.

Sitting on the narrow cot that had been my bed this past week, I inhaled deeply. I wouldn’t miss this place—that much was certain. The maids here had treated me like an outsider, whispering behind my back, their disdain barely concealed.

But none of them had been as cruel as Arabella.

If I fought back, it would only make things worse for my mother. So I bit my tongue, swallowed my pride, and endured.

I resumed packing, ensuring nothing was left behind.

Then—without warning—the door flew open.

Privacy didn’t exist here. Arabella never knocked.

She stormed in, her scowl sharp enough to cut glass. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?" she snapped, her gaze zeroing in on the bag on my bed.

"I’m leaving," I said flatly, refusing to meet her eyes.

"Like hell you are!" She lunged forward, ripping the bag from my hands. I barely had time to react before she hurled it across the room. It slammed against the wall with a heavy thud, spilling my belongings onto the floor.

"You’re not going anywhere," she sneered. "You’re nothing. A worthless orphan. You’ll rot here until you die, you pathetic little bitch."

My temper flared, white-hot.

"I’m staying with a friend," I ground out through clenched teeth. "My mother already gave her blessing."

Arabella’s lips curled into a vicious smirk. "Oh, really? And who would ever want you?"

I refused to let her see how much that stung.

Sebastian’s words echoed in my mind—No harm will come to either of them.

But right now, the only harm I feared was the damage Arabella could do before I walked out that door.